Assistant Professor, Howard University College of Medicine | Alum Adjunct Asst Professor, Johns Hopkins Medicine | Executive Director, From Prison Cells to PhD
Baltimore, MD
Joined April 2014
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The response has been wild — folks are asking for more honesty, more hope, more real talk on transformation.
If you missed the latest Breaking Chains episode, watch here: conta.cc/4aiQgeS
#FromPrisonCellsToPhD #BreakingChainsBuildingFutures #SecondChances
P2P scholar Tosha Big Eagle is making history. A Crow Creek Sioux Tribe member and PhD candidate, she’ll co-chair ICPA’s first First Nations and Indigenous Network.
Join the launch: icpa.org/resource/a-new-home…
#SecondChances #IndigenousLeadership
This #DomesticViolenceAwarenessMonth, join us for Healing Across Borders, a virtual dialogue sharing lessons on survivor-led healing from El Salvador to our communities.
🗓 TODAY, Oct 27 | 1:00–2:00 PM ET 🔗 Register: conta.cc/47lwPQ6
#DVAM #HealingAcrossBorders
From a presidential pardon to a published author, Dr. Kelsie Becklin’s journey is proof that redemption opens doors. 📚
Meet Kelsie, co-author of BREAKING CHAINS, at the Twin Cities Book Festival, Nov. 7, 10 AM–5 PM at Union Depot in Saint Paul!
#BreakingChains #Redemption
9 years ago, @FromCellsToPhD was just a dream. Today, we’re opening our 2nd transitional home—and our 1st dedicated to women and their children. 🏡✨
Before you can rebuild your life, you need a safe place to sleep.
Read the full story: conta.cc/47Fi2Qh
If you want to move the needle on financial aid, you have to bring your voice to the table.
Submit a session proposal for the #NASFAA2027 Conference in San Diego and help drive real policy change.
conta.cc/4dfH0ZW
#UnlockHigherEd #FromPrisonCellsToPhD #HigherEducation
💜 Healing begins with listening—and grows through action. Join UHE for Healing Across Borders, Oct. 27, to uplift survivors, honor lived experience, and build community-led solutions. Your voice matters.
Register conta.cc/47lwPQ6
#UnlockHigherEd #DVAM #SurvivorAdvocacy
“P2P reminded me that it’s not over.” — Kevin Ballou
Now pursuing grad school and community service, Kevin proves incarceration isn’t the end of the story.
Ready to write yours? Apply for a P2P cohort: conta.cc/4al0pWY
#P2P #SecondChanceEducation
Higher education in prison opens pathways to dignity and real transformation.
On Nov 19, join @USMNews at @TowsonU for Maryland’s 1st annual Higher Education in Prison Symposium.
Join the waitlist by Nov 12: conta.cc/4zkcIO4
#HigherEducationInPrison #EducationEquity
Scholarship does not stop at the prison walls. 🎓
Join @AllianceforHEP for the 3rd annual Incarcerated Scholars Conference—a free virtual event showcasing the research & creative work of incarcerated learners.
📅 Oct 28–29 🔗 bit.ly/4cfjE5b
#ISC2026 #EducationEquity
Students can drive change. Institutions must act.
The Student Step Up Challenge empowers students to strengthen campus safety and survivor support.
Bring the challenge to your campus! 🔗 docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F…
#StudentStepUpChallenge #CampusSafety #SurvivorAdvocacy
Education changed the trajectory of my life—it gave me the opportunity to lead and serve.
On Mon, Oct 26 @ 1 PM ET, join me & the @UnlockHigherEd Steering Committee for a major announcement on what’s next.
#UnlockHigherEd #HigherEd #SecondChances
What happens when lived experience becomes leadership? Cameron Gregory Walton joins the #UnlockHigherEd Speaker Series to discuss reentry, education, and why systems must be built with people—not just for them.
Watch now: youtu.be/-SApYIKmJME
#RISEUP #HigherEducation
Excited to join the inaugural Pathways Convening in Urbana-Champaign (Oct 8–10)! Catch my presentation Breaking Chains, Building Futures today at 11:45 AM, and join us Saturday for a Reentry Simulation & Panel.
conta.cc/4rL2x2s
#P2P #PathwaysConvening #EducationJustice
They told him his past was his final chapter. He proved them wrong—becoming a scientist, earning a PhD, teaching at Howard University, and founding From Prison Cells to PhD.
Join a P2P cohort today: conta.cc/42dkxEf
#P2P #InvestingInPotential #SecondChances
From a prison cell to the misuse of RICO—Sordid Injustice by Tamara Cotman Springs is a masterclass in resilience and rewriting a system that tries to define you.
Honored to hear her story with Unlock Higher Education.
conta.cc/4rNfGYR
#SordidInjustice #P2P
"It is never too late to do good." But who gets to define what "good" means?
A conviction, background check, or degree doesn't define our capacity to lead, build, and transform systems.
Check out @prison2pro's latest piece
fromprisoncellstophd.substac…
#Leadership #JusticeImpacted
Four voices. One mission. A whole lot of work moving recovery forward.
Monique Tula. Stephen Murray. Roland Lamb. Dr. Noel Vest.
The 2026 commUNITY Conference hits Philadelphia Oct. 26–28.
Lock in your spot: unityrecovery.org/community-…
#CommUNITY2026 #HarmReduction #Recovery
The future of higher education in prison is shaped by the people willing to do the work—and share what they’re learning.
NCHEP 16 is calling for proposals around “Anchored in Justice.”
Got something to contribute? Submit by Nov. 1, 2026.
🔗 bit.ly/4ct2su6
#NCHEP16
Want to shape the future of financial aid?
NASFAA is seeking proposals for its 2027 National Conference in San Diego (June 20–23). Bring your expertise and unique perspective to the table!
Deadline: Oct 23, 2026
Submit here: nasfaa.org/presenters_modera…
#HigherEd #FinancialAid
Education changes lives, but real impact requires connecting learning during incarceration to real workforce opportunities after.
Joined @Hunt_Institute to discuss building pathways from rehabilitation to economic mobility:
👉 conta.cc/3TejDcx
